Thursday, September 14, 2006

Beetle X-Stitch

This cross-stitch project started life as an illustration of a beetle called Cleoptera. I decided I wanted to convert the illustration into a cross-stitch pattern to make for Teller's birthday in 2000.

Photoshop is a good tool for this. I think there are plug-ins available, but I just did it by hand. I decided I didn't want to use more than 6 colors, so I reduced the image's colors and resolution until I had a pixellated version of the art. Then I just followed the chart on cross-stitch canvas, mounted it on a small piece of handmade Japanese paper, and mounted the whole thing in a faux bamboo frame. I was very happy with how it turned out and wish I had taken better photos. As always, Teller's thank you note was very appreciative.